Davidson, Ole Karolius Eide

Ole Davidson was born on May 4, 1894 in Vassdal, Tjongsfjord, Norway to Ivar Davidson and Kaja Olson. Before coming to America, there were four brothers in the family: Ole, David, Alfred, and Martin. Ivar was a fisherman, and the family lived in a little valley with Ole's paternal grandparents David Olson and Kaspara, who were also fishermen. Only Ole's family lived in the valley, and in an effort to improve their lifestyle, they immigrated to Minnesota in 1901, where Ole Sabin, a distant relative of Kaja's owned a farm. Upon arrival to Minnesota, Ivar and Kaja worked on Ole's farm in order to pay off the dept for their tickets over.

Eventually, they rented their own farm and five more children were born: Emil, Ida, Odin, Agnes, and Arthur. In Minnesota, Ole attended school through the eighth grade, but did not actually pass his eighth grade examinations. Nevertheless, the minister who confirmed Ole, asked Ivar if Ole could further his education. Ivar agreed providing that Ole attended Waldorf Lutheran Academy in Forest City, IA. At the Waldorf Academy, Ole completed the eighth grade and went on to finish high school in three years. L.W. Boe, the President of Waldorf Academy at that time, then suggested to Ole that he attend St. Olaf's college. Money was tight, but Ole managed to pay for his tuition through 1917. At that time, Ole knew he would be drafted for WWI and arranged with the St. Olaf's President to attend a few months of seminary before he had to go overseas. Ole went overseas in 1918, but caught pneumonia and came home fairly ill. Upon his return home, Ole received letters from both St. Olaf's and the seminary, asking him to finish his education at their respective institutions. Ole chose the seminary and finished in 1920, after which he got his pastorate in Sacramento, CA.

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